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A forensic science master's degree prepares students to engage in criminal investigations through scientific inquiries. Coursework involves evidence analysis, hands-on laboratory research, and exploring various procedures and principles of criminal justice. Legal studies are also included in a master's in forensic science, allowing students to understand how their findings are applied to criminal court cases. 

Bachelor's degrees are required for acceptance into any graduate program. Students without relevant forensic science credits may be asked to take prerequisite courses before the programs start. Typically, full-time students complete online master's degrees in two years. Outcomes vary based on which specializations a student chooses to pursue, such as biology, forensic technology, and cybersecurity. 

An online forensic science degree encompasses multiple disciplines and practical experience. At the master's level, students learn how to apply scientific practices and principles to evidence found at crime scenes. Core courses are closely related to the chosen concentration. For example, forensic accounting students study fraud and money laundering, while digital forensic science students explore network forensics and operating systems analysis. Practicums may be required regardless of specialization so students can gain real-world experience. 

Below are a few courses commonly found in a forensic science graduate curriculum:

• Laboratory Operations: Laboratory research is a core component of any comprehensive forensic science master's degree. In this course, students learn the functions of a forensic lab, such as examining evidentiary materials and analyzing DNA. Laboratory policy is discussed, including defining roles, safety procedures, and human resources. Students also discover essential management and leadership skills used in lab settings.
• Drug Analysis: Drug analysis focuses on analyzing and identifying controlled substances. Students learn to define evidentiary issues, isolate samples, utilize chemistry practices, and apply classifications. Findings are then organized and written into reports used by law enforcement and court officials. 
• Crime Scene Investigation: Students explore the foundational practices of crime scene processing, including documenting the scene through photographs and sketches, preserving fingerprints, creating plaster casts, identifying tool marks and firearms, and packaging evidence. There's also training in communication and collaboration, preparing students to work alongside forensic scientists.

Rising costs make it more challenging to pay for a degree than ever before, leading many students to seek an affordable online forensic science degree. The lower costs for online graduate programs come from in-state tuition rates, digital books, and fewer operational costs associated with instruction. 

Online master's degrees are flexible, leaving time available for part-time jobs. Forensic science students can utilize their free time by working in roles that provide relevant field experience, such as forensic analysts, laboratory technicians, and teacher assistants in university forensic departments. Many schools offer career preparation resources to students seeking work during and after their program.

Even with lower tuition costs, students should consider ways to save money in college. Fortunately, online students have the opportunity to live off-campus, which usually means cheaper rent and food. Using a monthly budget to map out costs is one of the most helpful ways to prevent overspending. This simple tool allows students to calculate exactly how much cash to put toward their education and living expenses.

While not ideal, securing funding through financial aid for a graduate degree is necessary for the majority of students. Most affordable forensic science degrees offer federal financial assistance through the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form allows students to apply for student loans, work-study programs, and grants — all through a single online application. Schools, governments, and private organizations use the income information from this form to determine how much funding is provided.

Loans are available from the federal government and private lenders. Federal loans offer fixed interest rates that aren't based on credit, income-based repayment plans, and, in some cases, loan discharges based on unforeseen life circumstances. Credit unions and banking institutions distribute private loans. They're often more expensive because they're based on a student's credit rating, which is often not fully matured, resulting in higher interest rates. 

It's important to remember that all student loans must be paid back with interest, leading to student debt that can take decades to pay off. However, there are several opportunities to receive loan forgiveness. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness () is one such program designed for government employees. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (), 60% of forensic science technicians work for local government agencies, making the PSLF an excellent way for forensic science graduates to apply for loan forgiveness. 

Graduates of an online forensic science master's degree can pursue a variety of career paths in both academia and the workforce. Some continue their education through doctoral programs focused on research areas like toxicology and body decomposition, often culminating in a thesis project. Others enter the job market in roles across law enforcement, laboratory work, or digital forensics. 

While a master's degree qualifies students for positions such as evidence technicians, forensic managers, and forensic psychologists, hands-on experience before graduation can greatly improve employment prospects.

• Career opportunities include criminal investigators, who earn a median salary of and typically serve as detectives or crime scene investigators. These professionals secure crime scenes, conduct interviews, and collaborate closely with law enforcement. 
• Forensic science technicians, earning a median of , collect and analyze physical evidence like blood samples and weapons, using lab testing to identify substances and DNA. 
• For those interested in cybercrime, digital forensics analysts — with a median salary of — examine electronic evidence from computers, phones, and networks, often playing a key role in cybersecurity investigations.

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a master's degree in forensic science is affordability. Tuition costs are on the rise and many students worry about crippling debt. An affordable master's in criminal justice or forensic science can help ease the burden of debt by allowing students the freedom to concentrate on pursuing their dream career.

Master's degrees generally take full-time students approximately two years to complete. Part-time students may graduate in up to five years or more. The U.S. Department of Education considers students as full-time if they're earning at least 12 credits per term. Keep in mind, each school decides the minimum enrollment requirements to receive federal financial aid.

Forensic science degrees at the graduate level are available 100% online. Courses may be delivered synchronously through scheduled class discussions and group projects, or asynchronously, where students study entirely on their own. Even through flexible schedules, assignments always have deadlines that must be adhered to. 

Earning a forensic science master's degree requires a lot of technical know-how, excellent organizational skills, and not to mention a willingness to handle some unpleasant material. Students with the determination to learn laboratory research and study the justice system will be rewarded with high-paying careers that combine law enforcement and scientific inquiry. Although financial aid is an issue with any graduate program, there are plenty of ways to mitigate debt by pursuing budget-friendly, online master's degrees.